4
MAY 1, 2019
S moke S ignals
Food Bank provides
boxes, seeks help
The Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mfkhmfk haws – is operated
by Marion-Polk Food Share, which has been leading the fight to
end hunger since 1987 because no one should be hungry.
Recipients of SNAP, TANF, SSI or LIHEAP assistance automat-
ically qualify for assistance at the Grand Ronde Food Bank, 9675
Grand Ronde Road. No one will be turned away in need of a food box.
“We believe that everyone deserves to have enough to eat,” Food
Bank Coordinator Francene Ambrose says. “You are welcome to get
a food box at each of our regular weekly distributions. No one will
be turned away in need of a food box.”
Upcoming food box distribution dates will be:
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 3;
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11;
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 17;
• 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 22;
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 31.
People must check in 15 minutes before closing to receive a food
box. If you need immediate assistance, call 211 or visit 211info.org.
Those who are unable to pick up a food box can fill out an autho-
rized representative form and that person can pick up a food box on
your behalf. The authorization is good for one year.
In addition, the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center’s Commu-
nity Health Team will be setting up the mobile clinic at the pantry
on the first Friday of every month.
The Food Bank continues to seek volunteers to help with repacking
food, putting food on the shelves, handing out food boxes, end-of-
month inventory and picking up food donations at area stores.
Call to ensure someone is available to assist. People also can sign
up for a monthly e-mail for the Food Bank calendar and events, as
well as follow the Food Bank on Facebook.
The Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.
Call Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or contact her at fambrose@mari-
onpolkfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer.
Committee & Special Event
Board meeting days and times
Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times
for Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards:
• Ceremonial Hunting Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Gro-
shong.
• Culture Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the
month at the Grand Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675
Grand Ronde Road. Chair: Francene Ambrose.
• Editorial Board meets monthly at the Chachalu Museum & Cultural
Center conference room, 8720 Grand Ronde Road. Next meeting is
scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, May 10. The public is welcome to attend.
Chair: Siobhan Taylor. Contact: Editorial.Board@grandronde.org.
• Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of
the month in the Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook.
• Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the
month in the Elders Activity Center. Chair: Penny DeLoe.
• Enrollment Board meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance
Center. Chair: Ann Lewis.
• Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday
of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair:
Tyson Mercier.
• Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of the
month in the Molalla Room of the Health & Wellness Center. Chair:
Bernadine Shriver.
• Housing Board meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in the
Housing Department conference room. Chair: Kristy Criss-Lawson.
• Powwow Special Event Board meets monthly at noon at the Com-
munity Center. Dates vary. Contact Dana Ainam at 503-879-2037.
Chair: Dana Ainam.
• TERO Commission meets at 10 a.m. Monday, May 13, in the Em-
ployment Services building. Chair: Russell Wilkinson.
• Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month
at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Interim Chair: Jon
R. George.
• Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday
of the month in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Raymond Petite.
To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean
Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org.
2014 – During a name re-
vealing ceremony at the Or-
egon Museum of Science and
Industry in Portland, the
transit bridge over the Wil-
lamette River was officially
christened Tilikum Crossing.
The name was submitted by
the Grand Ronde Tribe and
means Bridge of the People
in Chinuk Wawa. The idea
to give the bridge a Native 2014
File photo
American name came from
Tribal Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor after she met with
someone from Tri-Met who was struggling with the dilemma that
several different groups wanted naming rights to the bridge. “That’s
when I suggested a Tribal name be used,” she said. “Give it a name
that honors the original people of the Portland basin. Name it for the
people who make up today’s Grand Ronde Tribe.”
2009 – Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Janet Billey was one of numer-
ous Native Americans featured in the new coffee-table photography
book “Faces From the Land: Twenty Years of Powwow Tradition,” by
Ben and Linda Marra of Seattle, Wash. Billey (Grand Ronde/Paiute)
appeared on page 85 of the book in a full-page, color portrait. She
also had appeared previously in a Native American-themed calendar
created by the Marras. “I’m the great-granddaughter of chiefs who
fought for our lands and signed treaties,” Billey’s accompanying text
says. “I grew up among rodeos, powwows and generations of queens.”
2004 – Members of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and Tribal
Council met to discuss way to ensure continued support of Oregon
nonprofit organizations. Tribal member and Spirit Mountain Casino
Marketing Director Adam Henny, a member of the fund board since
its establishment, said he also was encouraged with results of the
meeting. “I have been so pleased to represent both Spirit Mountain
Casino and my Tribe on the Spirit Mountain Community Fund board
over the last few years,” he said.
1999 – The Grand Ronde Community Water Association and the
Tribe announced a settlement of issues between them concerning the
terms on water supply to Grand Meadows, the manufactured home
subdivision owned by the Tribe. A dispute over water supply had
been the subject of litigation between the two parties pending in Polk
County Circuit Court. The settlement resulted in dismissal of the suit.
1994 – Tribal Council member Ray McKnight passed away at the age
of 70 after having a stroke the month before. He had been a member of
Tribal Council since 1987 and helped pioneer programs for the Tribe
such as forest management, land acquisition and natural resources.
The Grand Ronde Native worked most of his life as a logger. “Ray
epitomized the ‘people to people’ form of government. He was active
in the community and sought public opinion on issues,” said Tribal
Council Chairman Mark Mercier.
1989 – Willamina High School junior Angie Leno was named youth
Tribal member of the month. She was an honor roll student and par-
ticipated in student government. Her interests included learning more
about her Tribe and pursuing a career in law. “Since everybody knows
so much about me now, I will have to keep in touch from college and
let everyone know how I’m doing,” Leno said.
1984 – Grand Ronde Tribal offices were moved to the depot facility,
with just a few finishing touches left to complete. “To any of you who
saw the depot before work was started will be surprised at a little
paint, carpet and a lot of dedicated manpower hours that resulted in
a nice, new atmosphere for staff, council, administrator and Tribal
members to enjoy,” an article in Smoke Signals stated.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year incre-
ments through the pages of Smoke Signals.
